Cyclones enthusiastic about new season

Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney says the enthusiasm is warranted thisyear. The Cyclones are looking to improve from last year’s 3-8 campaign andMcCarney says with added experience and depth he is confident gains will bemade.McCarney says the academic status of two players is still up in the air.Junior fullback Jerome Heavens and Senior defensive lineman Clyde Sandersmay not be with the team this season.McCarney says summer school just finished so he doesn’t know when he willrecieve word on their status.McCarney says he has been impressed with the freshman class and says whileit is too early to tell several of them could contribute this season.The offensive line is a veteran group but a key may be the health of juniorBen Beaudet (boh-det) and sophomore Marcel Howard. Both sat out spring ballafter having the 98 season cut short by concussions. McCarney says doctorshave cleared both to play.Big things are expected from running back Darren Davis. He is hoping for bigthings from the Cyclones.Davis says while the Cyclones want to improve their ground game he knows asolid passing game will also be needed to move the ball.Davis says the non conference games will set a tone for the season.